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I need to stop spending on non essentials! anyone else?

28 replies

Iheartpasties · 01/04/2013 05:48

I recently have realised that I have got a BAD habit of spending money when I feel stressed. I can always think of something that we 'need' except we don't really need it. I look online and buy stuff, its just click click click and then money is spent. I just really want to stop this month and get myself being sensible with money again!

Anyone else fancy doing this and supporting each other?!

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ratbagcatbag · 01/04/2013 05:59

I'm crap at links but in this topic head on to austere April, lots of people cutting back, having no spend days and generally encouraging each other to save a little bit to a lot :)

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Yamyoid · 01/04/2013 06:08

I'm not too bad with click click click, although perhaps do find it too easy to think of things we need. We've realised that we're going to have to be even more frugal than we thought and so I'm also going to be trying not to spend any money from now on [busad].

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RantyMcRantpants · 01/04/2013 07:45
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Fluffycloudland77 · 01/04/2013 09:51

I tend to research what I want/need and then put it in my basket/wish list etc and leave it there.

That way I can sleep on it and I usually decide I don't want it.

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prettypleasewithsugarontop · 01/04/2013 09:53

Me!

Although I don't do it online anymore, I try to stay away from the computer when I am stressed

I spend money like its going out of fashion in town though :(

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SilentMammoth · 01/04/2013 09:56

Have you tried adding it to basket but not continuing to check out? Works really well for me Smile

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paintyourbox · 03/04/2013 12:23

I kept all my receipts for March, I thought I was reasonably good with money but I am ashamed at how much was wasted on "stuff".

Particularly horrified by the £100 of makeup/toiletries (though £40 of that was a half price sonic toothbrush to address my terrible dental problems so I am letting myself off with that!)

This month I am going to stay away from the shops and avoid magazines- I always see things I want to buy and then splurge!

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Fluffycloudland77 · 03/04/2013 13:31

A good toothbrush is cheaper than major dental work Wink

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JanieLovesCake · 03/04/2013 13:45

I'm a bit the same although more so in the shops than online. Last night I did up a spreadsheet with all the direct debits etc and what I CAN spend. I have no savings, but I totally should. I just don't know where I throw all my money away. I am 7 weeks pregnant so really need to pull in the purse strings for when I go on maternity.
My plan is...
Don't buy any toiletries/make up
Don't buy any clothes
Do a weekly shop from a shopping list and stick to it
Bring packed lunches to work
Don't bring my cards (maestro or credit cards) out with me
Give myself 'pocket money' each month and if I spend it then tough!

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PassNoRemark · 03/04/2013 14:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Satine5 · 06/04/2013 19:30

I am in! I am Amazon/Ebay addict. I spend mostly on DD, a book here, a top there, a toy...(DD is 20 months and I love buying for her). It's usually small things, like a sticker book, a figure, a book but it's so addictive I am itching if I am not waiting for a delivery. I also order so often, I tend to forget what I have ordered, they are impulse buys most of the time.
I think part of it is paychological- I was planning to be a SAHM, but I had a chance o go back part time on very flexible conditions plus family do the childcare, but I think I feel guilty because of it still.
I tend to buy, because I keep thinking to myself,i earn, so I can'. I know it's stupid though. I need to start saving and be more frugal!
Any tips?

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Satine5 · 06/04/2013 19:31

Psychological, not paychological!

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Satine5 · 06/04/2013 19:35

Oh, and anytime I go to town on my own, I spend like crazy! It's not huge sums, but it's silly and I feel so guilty afterwards. Today, a few tops in h&m (although I did chuck away lots to a charity shop recently, so I genuinely don't own many nice clothes), a new cushion, etc. it's just too tempting to stop

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JiminyCricket · 06/04/2013 19:36

I am with you...I am 2 weeks into a decision to buy NO MORE CLOTHES (or shoes) for me until after Christmas. Will probably be a struggle but I have everything I need and we are trying to save so is not too hard. In a way it is kind of liberating..keeps me off ebay. But I am developing a sudoko habit, annoyingly, but at least its free Smile

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nellyjelly · 06/04/2013 19:38

Stay away from town. Get your groceries delivered. Don't buy extras.

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HotCrossBunsForAll · 13/04/2013 13:26

This is me, totally. I was trying to work out where £200 went in the 7 days after payday - and it was entirely on meals out/clothes/toiletries and make up. This is my main issue when it comes to spending, and I'm definitely up for trying to change this habit! Like today, I'm alone and I have housework/chores/a wardrobe to clean out and ebay....but I'm having to resist the temptation to go into town for a wander. Argh!

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Iheartpasties · 21/04/2013 10:56

I'm so sorry I started this thread and then we didn't have internet for three weeks, there was a fault on the line!

How is everyone going?

It's nice to know I am not alone.

I think with me it is a habit I need to try and break!

Having no internet did massively help me though, I just have to stop myself dreaming up stuff 'I need'

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Satine5 · 21/04/2013 19:45

Hi, I am not doing that great...much better, but still trying to justify small purchases off ebay that still add up. i finally had a reality check today, looking at our bank account. We are ok, but so much was thoughtless spending, it shocked me.
So no more ebay and Amazon for me for a while! I am vowing nothing until the end of the month. That will be a good start!
I am doing bo spend days, but only managed 1 last week, instead of three. Today at tesco's I tried being more thrifty and we will be doing 2 soup nights a week to save up a bit.
I wish I could start shopping at aldi but the nearest one is 20 miles away!

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Satine5 · 21/04/2013 19:49

Iheartpasties, I forgot to ask, where/what did you spend most on? Things for home? Clothes? For me it's things for DD, that't the majority I'd say.
It will be hard drastically cutting back. I am itching when there is no parcel I am waiting for to be delivered. That's so stupid!

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Restorer · 21/04/2013 19:52

I have been doing this since Christmas.

If I see something I "need" on-line, or in a shop, I tell myself I'll buy it tomorrow. Usually by the time tomorrow comes I've either forgotten all about it or decided it was a ridiculous purchase that I didn't really want/like.

It's amazing how much difference it makes. At the end of last month I had £400+ left over, when I had been spending everything every month. And, I don't even feel like I've been cutting back. I can honestly say I haven't gone without anything I'd miss.

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Satine5 · 22/04/2013 15:16

Restorer, that's amazing! I try using wishlist in amazon more, I still feel a bit like shopping, but it's actually on the list only (and will be helpful if anyone needs present hints around Bday time Smile

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Queenofknickers · 22/04/2013 17:10

Can I join in? Am total amazon/ eBay / sales addict Hmm Mainly when stressed or bored. Like the tip of using wish list or basket - any others?

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Iheartpasties · 23/04/2013 11:35

I am always buying stuff for dd, like sticker books, or a few second hand clothes off eBay, or some other impulse buy!! I just read the last few posts and nodded along with lots of things you've all said. I love the idea if telling yourself 'buy it tomorrow' because I really am just clicking away as a stress induced thing.

I went from eating away my stress to shopping it away! I lost some weight so I was happy with that but somehow online shopping has become a habit.

I want to really really try next month, maybe I can keep a spreadsheet and see if I can manage a couple if weeks in a row without impulse purchases!!

I would like us to save up for a deposit on a property so that's my end goal.

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Satine5 · 24/04/2013 22:09

Hello Queenofknickers! I also find getting focused on something else helps...I started doing up the garden (mind you, I keep stopping myself from ordering plants online!!), I am also going to declutter loads, it gives a bit of a kick! Any hobbies you could take up on?

Ihearpasties, you sound so much like me! Impulse buys, often when i am stressed or a bit unhappy. I am more conscious of it now, thanks to the thread and so far no spend this week (apart from essentials and an ice cream yesterday Smile)

Does any of you use Pinterest? I find it a good distraction from online shopping, although it could sometimes be a trigger as well (when I look at fashion).

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Nepotism · 26/04/2013 08:39

How about removing your card details from Paypal, Amazon etc? Or block the sites.

I heard a tip about wrapping your card in a plastic bag to protect it then freezing it in a tupperware box of water so you have to defrost it before use!

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